FUNCTIONALLY STEPPED, RESISTIVE CERAMIC

摘要

An electrically powered functionally graded ceramic composite heater (20') useful for cigarette lighters. The electrical resistance heater (20') includes discrete heating zones (22') wherein each zone of the heater can be activated using an electric control module, and is capable of heating to a temperature in the range of 600 DEG C to 900 DEG C using portable energy devices. The ceramic heater can be made by pressing together layers of differing amounts of constituents of the ceramic precursor material followed by secondary processing steps to obtain discrete heating elements. The heater design can include a hub (104) on one end to provide structural integrity, and functions as a common for the heating zones.